Legal Question in Tax Law in California

Yes 5 days is short but Unlawful Detainers are on an accelerated time line so you can get your premises back quickly. You normally can get a trial date within a month of your filing whereas a normal civil case can take more than a year to get to trial. By the way it's 5 days only if they were hand served and 10 days if they were mailed to you by regular mail. You need to answer them fully or object to them and have valid grounds or the tenant can bring a motion to compel. If they have a lawyer they can also seek sanctions and or costs.. You could always ask them for an extension or better yet try to work it out with them so you don't both waste your time in court.

Good luck and hope that helps.

PS Ypur post should have been in the landlord tenant section.